Downtown Mobility Center

60 Beale St., Memphis, TN 38103 United States

Building Area (sf): 386,495 SF

Completion: 8/2023

Architect of Record:

LRK

• Owner/Client:
• General Contractor: Flintco & Percise
• Electrical: LANDSCAPE DESIGN
  Kersey/Wike Associates, Inc.
  
  STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
  Chad Stewart & Associates, Inc.
  
  CIVIL ENGINEER
  Powers Hill Design
  
  MECHANICAL AND FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEER
  Haltom Engineering, LLC
  
  ELECTRICAL ENGINEER
  Liles Engineering Design Consultants, LLC
  
  PARKING AND WAYFINDING CONSULTANT
  THA
  
  LIGHTING CONSULTANT
  CM Kling
  
  AV/SECURITY
  WJHW
  
  LIFE SAFETY
  Code Solutions Group
  
  SPECIFICATIONS CONSULTANT
  lo.specs LLC
  
• Engineering:
  
• Other:
  
• Photography:
  Photography by: Ken West
  
  1- Two distinct colors – red copper and silver – complement the traditional brick of the historic downtown buildings to the north and the modern metal-clad buildings to the west. The transition of these two distinct colors is most strongly expressed at Beale Street where the exterior monumental stair stitches these two colors together.
  
  Not long after its public opening, the distinct 7-level monumental stair became an unexpected opportunity for local groups to promote health and well-being. At times, a fitness group meets at the top floor to do yoga in combination with hiking the stairs for exercise, and at other times, a crew of firefighters from the nearby fire station utilizes the stairs to train in full gear.
  
  2- Filling a void in the urban fabric, where a surface parking lot once stood, the project respects the massing and articulation of solid and void of the adjacent buildings.
  
  4- The retail space steps back along Main Street allowing for pedestrian flow around the existing trolley stop. Rhythmic placement of the metal panels mimic the openings of neighboring buildings.
  
  5- On the north side, a bold, edge-lit opening in the panels signifies the primary parking entrance at Peabody Place.
  
  On a prominent interior wall, a large custom mural by a recognized local artist welcomes people as they enter the facility.
  The Bike Hub is positioned along Downtown’s Bike Tour path and serves as an end-of-trip facility where residents can store or service their bike.
  
  7- Pedestrian movement is expressed through the cantilevered monumental stairs. A landscaped seat wall directly below offers a moment for rest along the widened sidewalk.
  
  8- Local artwork flows throughout providing parking level identity. 20 local artists showcase their commissioned work, reflecting Memphis’ rich cultural diversity.
  
  9- As people make their way through the building, they experience the city’s culture. The project frames special views to Downtown, encouraging people to explore the city.
  

The Downtown Mobility Center converts an underutilized surface parking lot into a much needed mixed-use transportation facility in the heart of Downtown Memphis, transcending the traditional functions of a parking garage.

The new 7-level Mobility Center fills in a noticeable void in the urban fabric of the Downtown core and Entertainment District, supporting the City’s mission to invest in a vibrant Downtown. The charge for the design team was to create a memorable landmark that alleviates Downtown’s stressed parking demand while providing multiple retail opportunities and a bike commuter station within a limited budget. The multi-modal facility advances the City’s Urban Development Plan by providing a central location for people to park their vehicles and transition to more sustainable modes of transportation. Ample parking is provided for cars, scooters, motorcycles, and bicycles. Located along an existing bike route, the bike commuter station provides a convenient location for downtown residents and employees to securely store and repair their bicycles, promoting a more bicycle-friendly city.

The Mobility Center is scaled for a city that still relies heavily on its cars but is designed to be adaptable to the future growth towards urbanization and density. One key example is the concrete structure was designed and constructed to add 2 additional levels when needed in the future.

Given the prominence of this site, the project enhances pedestrian and trolley connections from iconic Beale Street to the recently renovated park along the Mississippi River and from the South Main Arts District to the transformed convention center north of Downtown. The design process was sensitive to the historic surroundings and purposefully responded to the residential and historic and modern commercial context. With major street frontage on all four sides of the site, the façade is wrapped with a cost-effective perforated metal panel system to help break down the scale of the building and screen the view to vehicles from the street.

The raised concrete plaza marks the path to the building's most unique architectural feature—an exterior monumental stair cantilevered from the concrete structure. The stair is partially covered, allowing panoramic views of the riverfront and Downtown from all levels.

The Downtown Mobility Center provides pedestrian-friendly connections, activated building façades, retail frontage, public gathering spaces, and special views of the city and its greatest asset, the Mississippi River.